A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

Paul Malik the handsome Arab, inherited the laundry business from his father who came to live in England in 1948 and started life in Liverpool, He buys his first shop with six old washing machines when he moves to the Arab and Jewish community in Benwell in Newcastle. He notices how the community struggle to wash clothes by hand and sets about opening a laundrette. Des Baldwin, the racial bigot does not like Paul or any other black man or woman for that matter. He works in a garage on waterville road and does fiddle work on the side. There is a knock on his door one evening and a bony faced man in a suit asks if he will repair a friends car. the 1968 Jaguar belongs to Darren Ingles a notorious gangster from the West End of Newcastle. The car has been used in a robbery and has been damaged. Read how Des' gets involved with the mob. The story is set in 1971 and will take you to Manchester, and Tenerife and the Canary islands. This is a story of drug trafficking, Dealing and murder.

31. 31

The Mediterranean palace hotel pool had gone quiet now as everyone was either getting ready to go out or dining in the restaurant. Barry knocked on the doors of the rest of the gang and they came out into the corridor then walked down the stairs to the foyer. Barry had ordered a taxi and it was waiting for them.

“Tomorrow one of you can go and sort a car out for us so we can travel further a field.’

The car travelled along the road as the locals and holiday makers made their way to the bars and restaurants. Dave Cox’s bar was near the beach; actually looking out from the bar you could see the huge passenger liners and ferry’s coming and going each day. The evening sun was going down as day turned to night.’

The cab pulled up outside the bar and Barry got out as Mickey Costello paid the driver and they all went inside.

Hello lads, said Dave Cox what can I get you to drink.’

Four bottles of San Miguel Dave said Barry.

They sat at a table and took a look at the menu which had both English and Spanish food on order.

The steak pie looks good said Brian Napier as the bottles of beer arrived. Are you lads staying long as I can keep a tab for you if you like.’

“Well we hoped to see the friend that you were talking about to ask him about some properties to buy here.’

“Ray will be here around 9.30pm if you would care to wait.’

I thought you said this guy was Spanish?’

He is, we just call him Ray; his real name is Araya Cabrera

“Will you lads be having something to eat?’

“Yes, I will have a Caesar salad and the porterhouse steak, no chips.

“We do Potatas Brava’s which is nice.’

Okay I will try that replied Barry and my steak I like medium rare.’

“What about you lads.’

“Steak pie for me and chips said Mickey.’

“Me too said Rob.’

Brian Napier ordered a seafood platter which came with a salad.

Dave went through to the kitchen where his chef Abello DeBartolo was preparing salads for another table. The bar was quite large and had a stage and a good size dance floor. There were two young Spanish girls who were working their way through college by working in Dave’s restaurant as waitresses. They didn’t earn much but made a lot in tips. They had to make sure that when the punters had finished their drinks they immediately came over to charm the guests into buying another round.

Some soft Spanish guitar music played in the bar which had some forty tables. One Spanish girl stood outside trying to get people to come into the restaurant. The lure of a free drink always helped and once inside it was the job of the two students to keep them in as long as possible. First they had to get them their free beer then Show them the menu to try and temp them to eat something. Then tell them about the entertainment that would be on that evening. Groups, Singers, and comedians travelled around the island each night so there was always something different to listen to. Dave ran quiz nights with prizes of free beer and a jackpot question worth